`BA 78-165` Kentucky Bluegrass

ABSTRACT

A variety of Kentucky Bluegrass having a medium to high level of resistance to leaf spot and melting out disease, red thread and powdery mildew; a moderate tolerance to billbugs; a medium deep green color throughout the growing season; the ability to form a medium to high quality turf under a variety of environmental conditions; a moderately wide leaf blade; a low growth habit; and a high level of seed yielding capacity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Poa pretensis that has been designated Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass.

2. Description of Related Art

Kentucky bluegrasses have been disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,156, issued May 9, 1972; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,186, issued May 23, 1972; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,336, issued Nov. 28, 1978; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,280, issued Sep. 6, 1988; U.S. Plant Pat. Nos. 6,537 and 6,538, issued on Jan. 17, 1989; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,585, issued Feb. 7, 1989, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,831, issued Mar. 17, 1992; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,490, issued Dec. 7, 1993; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,036, issued Jan. 3, 1995; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,209, issued Jul. 18, 1995; and pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/453,854, filed May 30, 1995, now U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,611; Ser. No. 08/532,995, filed Sep. 22, 1995, now U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,848, and Ser. No. No. 08/604,763, filed Feb. 23, 1996, as well as U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/680,167, filed coextensively herewith.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Ba 78-165 plant material originated by crossing Ba 74-157, an unreleased Kentucky Bluegrass plant maintained in the O. M. Scott plant nursery, as the seed parent with Ba 74-501, another unreleased Kentucky Bluegrass plant maintained in the O. M. Scott plant nursery, as the pollen parent. As a result of this breeding, a distinct variety was produced and asexually propagated by rhizomes, tillers and disseminules.

Seed of Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass was produced first at Marysville, Ohio and later at Gervais, Ore. This seed was used to plant turf performance evaluation trials and later seed production fields.

Asexual production of Ba 78-165 by propagules (tillers and rhizomes) and by disseminules (modified caryopses produced by apomixis) has consistently produced progeny plants indistinguishable from the mother plant. The apomixis level of Ba 78-165 is approximately 96% based upon examining seedling characteristics of approximately 100 to 150 seedlings from different crop years in a growth chamber.

Ba 78-165 has a number of highly desirable characteristics including a medium to high level of resistance to Drechslera spp. that causes leaf spot, melting out and crown rot; a medium to high level of resistance to Erysiphe graminis that causes powdery mildew and a medium to high level of resistance to Laettiseria fuciformis that causes red thread. Ba 78-165 has an attractive leafy turf type, low growth habit; moderately wide leaf blades and a medium deep green color which can be maintained throughout the entire growing season. Ba 78-165 demonstrates good early spring greening and good winter color under mild winter conditions.

Ba 78-165 is an overall good turfgrass performer as evidenced by medium to high scores for quality and color. Ba 78-165 has a high seed yield potential in the bluegrass seed production region of the northwestern United States.

In comparison with a number of other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties, Ba 78-165 has a significantly longer seed and rachilla than many other Kentucky Bluegrasses and a significantly lower seed count than several other Kentucky Bluegrasses. The panicle of Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass is significantly shorter than many other Kentucky Bluegrasses, and below average in width, whorl number and branch counts per whorl. Ba 78-165 has, on average, smaller spikelets, glumes and number of florets. The peduncle is above average in length and width. It has a flag leaf that is below average in length, above average in width and thickness relative to most other Kentucky Bluegrasses. The flag leaf ligule is of average length and the leaf margin has significantly fewer hairs than other Kentucky Bluegrasses. The vegetative leaf is above average in length and width and slightly below average in thickness. The ligule of the vegetative leaf is significantly shorter than most other Kentucky Bluegrasses. Ba 78-165 has significantly fewer hairs on the upper ligule margin and collar margin than several of the Kentucky Bluegrass varieties and significantly more hairs than other Kentucky Bluegrasses on the dorsal side of the leaf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass panicle;

FIG. 2 is a Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass seed; and

FIG. 3 is a Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass plant shortly after completing anthesis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Ba 78-165 Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is perennial with creeping rhizomes forming a dense turf. When plants overwinter in the field under freezing temperatures and are then brought into the greenhouse during late winter to continue growth undisturbed by clipping under moderate temperatures (60°-80° F.), culms are erect averaging 47.5 cm in length and 3.1 nodes per culm. The uppermost internode averages 14.8 cm in length. The peduncle averages 22.4 cm in length and 0.73 mm in width. The vegetative leaf averages 24.2 cm in length, 3.9 mm in width, 0.23 mm in thickness and the ligule 0.35 mm in length. The flag leaf averages 4.0 cm in length, 3.5 mm in width, 0.12 mm in thickness and a ligule length of 1.45 min.

The panicle averages 78.7 mm in length, 48.2 mm in width, and 8.1 whorls. The lowest whorl and the third whorl from the bottom of the panicle average 3.2 and 2.5 branches, respectively. A spikelet in the lowest whorl averages 4.3 mm in length, 2.1 mm in width, 2.8 florets and the outer glume and inner glume average 2.9 and 3.2 mm in length, respectively. A spikelet from the third whorl from the bottom of the particle averages 4.5 mm in length, 2.2 mm in width, 2.9 florets, and the outer glume and inner glume averages 2.7 mm and 3.4 mm in length, respectively.

The conditioned seed of Ba 78-165 averages 3.32 mm in length, 0.97 mm in width, and a rachilla length of 0.50 min. It has a high level of hairs at the base of the lemma, and at the margins of the palea.

Comparisons of Ba 78-165 with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties in terms of seed numbers per pound are shown in Table 1 as follows:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Comparison of Seeds Per Pound after Conditioning of Ba 78-165 and              Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties.                                                          Seeds                                                            Variety       Per Pound                                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba78-165        965,500                                                        Ba73-366        993,500                                                        Ba78-381      1,023,250                                                        Abbey           988,500                                                        Buckingham      978,000                                                        Coventry      1,374,750                                                        Garfield      1,250,500                                                        Merit         1,250,250                                                        LSD (.50)       77,042                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Ba 78-165 differs significantly from several of the other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties in regard to the following morphological characteristics: (1) seed length; (2) rachilla length; (3) panicle length; (4) number of branches in the third whorl; (5) spikelet length in the lowest whorl; (6) glumes in the third whorl; (7) culm length and internode length and color; (8) flag leaf margin hairs; (9) vegetative leaf ligule length, and (10) hairs on the upper margin of the ligule, collar margin and the leaf dorsal side.

Since environmental conditions such as soil and climate may influence morphological characteristics to some extent, comparisons of Ba 78-165 were made with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties under like conditions and the comparisons are set forth in Tables 2-10 as follows:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Seed, Rachilla and Lemma and Palea                 Hairs of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties                      After Conditioning                                                             Seed                        Hairs*                                             Length        Width   Rachilla  Lemma Palea                                    ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                             3.23       0.97    0.50    4.00  1.60                                   Ba 77-700                                                                             3.20       0.85    0.77    2.80  0.90                                   Abbey  3.02       0.85    0.56    1.80  0.40                                   Ascot  3.00       0.81    0.68    6.30  1.50                                   Cannon 3.32       0.85    0.72    0.20  2.00                                   Gnome  2.93       0.90    0.61    2.10  0.80                                   Merit  2.85       0.78    0.62    0.90  0.15                                   Viva   2.72       0.77    0.79    1.20  0.20                                   LSD (.05)                                                                             0.191      0.072   0.177   1.53  0.823                                  ______________________________________                                          *Rating Scale: 0-9; 9 = most hairs                                       

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Panicles, Whorl Number and Whorl                   Branches of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the            Greenhouse at Marysville, OH                                                   Panicles                   Number of Branches                                         Length    Width   Whorl   Lowest                                                                               Third                                   Variety                                                                               mm        mm      Number  Whorl Whorl                                   ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                             78.7      48.2    8.1     3.2   2.5                                     Ba 77-700                                                                             87.7      57.9    8.2     3.9   3.3                                     Abbey  86.4      54.1    9.0     4.1   3.3                                     Ascot  91.4      60.7    9.1     2.4   2.3                                     Cannon 91.7      49.9    8.9     4.4   3.6                                     Gnome  85.4      43.7    9.1     3.6   3.4                                     Merit  77.3      38.9    8.1     2.9   2.8                                     Viva   82.5      46.6    8.0     3.4   3.0                                     LSD (.05)                                                                             8.03      8.83    0.65    0.71  0.59                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Spikelets and Florets of Ba 78-165 and             Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse                           at Marysville, OH                                                                                       Number of                                             Spikelet*                Florets                                               Lowest Whorl   Third Whorl   Per Spikelet                                             Length  Width   Length  Width Lowest                                                                               Third                               Variety                                                                               mm      mm      mm      mm    Whorl Whorl                               ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                             4.3     2.1     4.5     2.2   2.8   2.9                                 Ba 77-700                                                                             4.6     2.1     4.5     2.2   2.9   3.2                                 Abbey  5.0     2.3     4.9     2.3   3.3   3.3                                 Ascot  5.3     2.3     5.5     2.5   3.2   3.6                                 Cannon 4.7     2.0     4.8     2.1   3.2   3.1                                 Gnome  4.5     2.3     4.7     2.2   3.2   3.0                                 Merit  5.0     2.5     5.2     2.5   3.9   3.8                                 Viva   4.9     1.9     5.0     2.0   3.3   3.3                                 LSD (.05)                                                                             0.43    0.35    0.46    0.34  0.52  0.59                                ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Glumes of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky             Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at Marysville, OH                        ______________________________________                                                  Glume Length (mm)                                                              Outer        Inner                                                               Lowest  Third      Lowest                                                                               Third                                      Variety    Whorl   Whorl      Whorl Whorl                                      ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165  2.9     2.7        3.2   3.4                                        Ba 77-700  3.0     2.9        3.4   3.5                                        Abbey      2.9     3.0        3.4   3.5                                        Ascot      3.9     4.0        4.3   4.5                                        Cannon     3.2     3.1        3.5   3.5                                        Gnome      2.8     2.9        3.3   3.3                                        Merit      3.0     3.0        3.4   3.5                                        Viva       3.1     3.1        3.8   3.6                                        LSD (.05)  0.29    0.29       0.29  0.28                                       ______________________________________                                                  Glume Width                                                                    Outer         Inner                                                              Lowest  Whorl       Third                                                                               Whorl                                      Variety    Outer   Inner       Outer                                                                               Inner                                      ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165  0.6     0.5         0.6  0.6                                        Ba 77-700  0.6     0.6         0.7  0.7                                        Abbey      0.6     0.7         0.9  0.8                                        Ascot      0.6     0.7         0.7  0.9                                        Cannon     0.7     0.6         0.8  0.8                                        Gnome      0.6     0.6         0.8  0.8                                        Merit      0.6     0.6         0.8  0.9                                        Viva       0.5     0.5         0.7  0.7                                        LSD (.05)  0.12    0.13        0.13 0.14                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Flag Leaves of Ba 78-165 and Other                 Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse                                 at Marysville, OH                                                                        Length  Width     Thickness                                                                             Ligule                                      Variety   (cm)    (mm)      (mm)   Length (mm)                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 4.0     3.5       0.12   1.45                                        Ba 77-700 4.1     3.0       0.08   1.35                                        Abbey     4.7     3.6       0.12   1.53                                        Ascot     4.4     2.9       0.11   1.52                                        Cannon    5.3     3.7       0.12   1.75                                        Gnome     4.6     3.2       0.10   1.40                                        Merit     4.2     2.3       0.08   0.98                                        Viva      3.4     2.5       0.11   1.45                                        LSD (.05) 1.14    0.61      0.02   0.24                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of the Levels of Hairs on the Flag Leaves of          Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at          Marysville, OH                                                                        Hairs*                                                                           Ligule  Leaf      Leaf Sheath                                                                            Leaf Sheath                                 Variety  Dorsal  Margin    Margin  Dorsal                                      ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                               2.0     0.2       0.1     0.0                                         Ba 77-700                                                                               1.3     1.8       0.8     0.0                                         Abbey    1.9     2.2       1.3     0.6                                         Ascot    0.8     1.9       0.5     1.2                                         Cannon   1.4     2.4       0.8     0.0                                         Gnome    1.8     1.3       1.0     0.4                                         Merit    1.0     1.8       0.9     1.4                                         Viva     2.5     1.5       0.4     0.0                                         LSD (.05)                                                                               0.83    0.72      0.79    0.62                                        ______________________________________                                          *Rating Scale: 0-9; 0 = none; 9 = many                                   

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Peduncles, Culms, Number of Nodes per              Culm, and Internode Length and Color of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky           Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at Marysville, OH                        ______________________________________                                                   Peduncle      Peduncle Culm                                                    Length        Width    Length                                        Variety   cm            mm       cm                                            ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 22.4          0.73     47.5                                          Ba 77-700 21.6          0.68     50.6                                          Abbey     21.5          0.77     40.6                                          Ascot     17.5          0.68     41.9                                          Cannon    20.0          0.74     48.3                                          Gnome     17.3          0.69     40.6                                          Merit     23.6          0.66     44.1                                          Viva      19.7          0.55     50.7                                          LSD (.05) 2.6           0.08     2.6                                           ______________________________________                                                   Number      Top       Top                                                      of Nodes    Internode Internode                                      Variety   Per Culm    Length (cm)                                                                              Color*                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 3.1         14.8      1.9                                            Ba 77-700 3.2         14.7      0.2                                            Abbey     2.6         10.7      0.1                                            Ascot     3.1         14.6      1.6                                            Cannon    3.6         13.4      0.0                                            Gnome     3.2         10.6      7.2                                            Merit     3.0         11.8      0.8                                            Viva      3.5         14.9      0.0                                            LSD (.05) 0.5         1.2       0.8                                            ______________________________________                                          *Rating Scale; 1-9, 9 = dark purple color                                

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of Vegetative Leaves of Ba 78-165 and Other           Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties in the Greenhouse at Marysville, OH                         Length  Width      Thickness                                                                             Length                                     Variety   cm      mm         mm     mm                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 24.2    3.9        0.23   0.35                                       Ba 77-700 23.2    3.5        0.23   0.50                                       Abbey     19.3    3.5        0.21   0.45                                       Ascot     20.4    3.2        0.21   0.42                                       Cannon    24.6    3.6        0.40   0.46                                       Gnome     19.5    3.8        0.24   0.48                                       Merit     21.8    3.6        0.23   0.41                                       Viva      25.0    3.2        0.24   0.40                                       LSD (.05) 3.67    0.42       0.14   0.06                                       ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Morphological Comparison of the Level of Hair on the Vegetative Leaves         of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties                            in the Greenhouse at Marysville, OH.                                                  Leaf    Leaf    Ligule                                                                               Leaf       Leaf                                          Sheath  Sheath  Upper Mar- Collar                                                                               Vent-                                                                               Leaf                              Variety                                                                               Margin  Dorsal  Margin                                                                               gin  Margin                                                                               ral  Dorsal                            ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                             3.3     3.9     4.5   1.3  2.0   0.2  1.7                               Ba 77-700                                                                             3.1     5.3     7.3   1.5  2.9   0.2  0.1                               Abbey  2.1     3.3     3.9   0.4  2.9   1.0  0.2                               Ascot  3.0     3.2     4.1   0.9  3.5   0.0  0.9                               Cannon 3.2     3.7     6.2   0.4  2.9   0.9  0.7                               Gnome  2.9     3.1     5.6   1.0  3.9   0.9  0.5                               Merit  3.7     3.0     5.4   0.1  3.2   0.5  0.0                               Viva   4.3     3.9     6.6   1.5  4.5   0.2  0.2                               LSD (.05)                                                                             1.21    0.98    1.10  0.75 0.87  0.61 0.54                              ______________________________________                                          *Rating Scale: 0-9; 0 = none; 9 = many                                   

Ba 78-165 has performed well throughout the U.S. as exhibited by medium to high turf quality ratings in comparison with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties. In addition, it has a dark green color which can be maintained throughout the growing season.

With regard to a comparative analysis conducted for purposes of determining color of Ba 78-165 plants relative to other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties, readings were taken of the vegetative color of Ba 78-165 during mid-October while the turf was actively growing with adequate nutrient and water availability. The readings were taken in full sun with several actively growing leaves being compared, one at a time, utilizing color chips from the Munsell Book of Color as a reference. On this basis, the color of Ba 78-165 was determined to be 7.5 GY 4/4. During the same time period, the color of similar leaves of other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties were determined by the same procedure to be as follows: Ascot -- 5 GY 4/4; Buckingham -- 7.5 GY 4/4; Ba 77-700 -- 5 GY 4/6; Midnight -- 7.5 GY 4/4; Abbey -- 5 GY 4/6; and Victa -- 5 GY 4/4. However, it should be noted that the general apparent color of turf does not always correlate directly with the color of the individual actively growing leaves within the turf and that turf color varies with nutrient level and time of year with some varieties being darker or lighter green depending on such factors.

Comparisons of Ba 78-165 with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties for quality, genetic color, spring greening, summer greenup after dormancy, seedling vigor, density, fall recovery, vertical growth, heat stress, and winter color are set forth hereinafter in Tables 11-25 as follows:

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Quality in Three Test (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other             Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties Grown in Shade at Marysville, Ohio                Variety   TEST A       TEST B   TEST C                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 3.5          2.7      2.0                                            Abbey     1.8          2.0      1.5                                            Banff     2.9          2.1      1.6                                            Bonnieblue                                                                               1.6          2.0      1.6                                            Bristol   3.3          2.0      1.6                                            Chateau   3.5          2.0      1.5                                            Coventry  3.3          2.3      1.6                                            Estate    3.5          2.0      1.7                                            Glade     2.4          2.0      1.5                                            Kelly     1.5          1.9      1.7                                            Monopoly  3.3          3.0      1.7                                            Newport   1.4          2.4      1.7                                            Victa     1.4          2.0      1.7                                            LSD (.05) 0.82         0.62     0.29                                           ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-5; 5 = Ideal Turf                                        

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Quality in Three Tests (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other            Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                Variety   TEST A*     TEST B*  TEST C**                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 2.2         2.6      5.0                                             Allure    1.3         2.4      4.3                                             Adelphi   1.7         2.1      5.0                                             Bonnieblue                                                                               2.0         2.5      4.0                                             Bristol   1.9         2.1      4.3                                             Chateau   1.1         2.3      4.0                                             Estate    1.3         2.5      4.3                                             Glade     1.8         2.1      3.7                                             Merit     2.0         2.1      3.3                                             Park      1.3         1.9      4.3                                             Vantage   1.2         2.0      4.0                                             Victa     1.8         2.2      5.0                                             LSD (.05) 0.39        0.30     1.67                                            ______________________________________                                          *Rating Scale: 1-5; 5 = Ideal Turf                                             **Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Ideal Turf                                      

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Quality in Three Tests (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other            Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties ay Marysville, OH.                                Variety   TEST A       TEST B   TEST C                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 2.5          2.5      2.1                                            Adelphi   2.3          1.8      1.8                                            Bristol   2.7          2.9      1.9                                            Glade     1.8          1.8      1.6                                            Newport   1.4          1.0      1.8                                            Ram I     2.0          2.3      2.0                                            Victa     2.2          1.8      1.4                                            LSD (.05) 0.95         1.23     0.42                                           ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-5; 5 = Ideal Turf                                        

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Quality in Three Tests (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other            Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties Grown in Shade at Marysville, OH.                 Variety   TEST A       TEST B   TEST C                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 6.0          7.0      7.0                                            Abbey     3.0          3.0      6.0                                            Adelphi   6.0          5.0      7.0                                            Baron     4.5          4.5      5.5                                            Bristol   5.5          5.5      7.5                                            Chateau   7.0          6.0      6.5                                            Classic   4.0          4.0      6.0                                            Coventry  5.0          4.5      6.5                                            Estate    6.5          5.5      6.5                                            Georgetown                                                                               6.0          2.0      6.0                                            Glade     5.5          6.0      6.5                                            Gnome     4.5          4.5      5.5                                            Kelly     5.0          4.0      6.0                                            Kenblue   5.0          6.0      5.0                                            Merion    4.0          5.0      7.0                                            Merit     4.0          4.0      5.5                                            Nassau    5.5          5.0      6.0                                            Ram I     5.0          4.5      6.5                                            Victa     5.0          4.5      6.0                                            LSD (.05) 2.23         3.36     1.50                                           ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Ideal Turf                                        

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Color of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass                Varieties Grown in Shade at Marysville, OH                                             Variety Color                                                          ______________________________________                                                 Ba 78-165                                                                              7.5                                                                    Abbey   7.0                                                                    Adelphi 7.0                                                                    Baron   7.0                                                                    Bristol 7.0                                                                    Chateau 7.5                                                                    Classic 6.5                                                                    Coventry                                                                               7.0                                                                    Estate  7.5                                                                    Georgetown                                                                             7.0                                                                    Glade   7.0                                                                    Gnome   7.0                                                                    Kelly   6.5                                                                    Kenblue 7.0                                                                    Merion  7.0                                                                    Merit   7.0                                                                    Nassau  7.0                                                                    Ram I   7.0                                                                    Victa   7.0                                                                    LSD (.05)                                                                              0.77                                                           ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Dark Green                                        

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Color in Two Tests (A-B) of Ba 78-165 and Other                Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, Oh.                                Variety        TEST A   TEST B                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      7.3      7.3                                                    Abbey          6.3      7.0                                                    Able I         7.6      8.0                                                    Allure         6.3      7.0                                                    Ascot          8.0      7.3                                                    A-34           6.0      6.3                                                    Banff          6.7      6.3                                                    Baron          7.0      7.3                                                    Bristol        7.7      7.0                                                    Buckingham     8.0      8.0                                                    Cannon         7.0      7.7                                                    Challenger     7.3      6.7                                                    Classic        6.7      6.7                                                    Coventry       6.3      7.0                                                    Eclipse        7.0      8.0                                                    Estate         6.0      7.0                                                    Georgetown     7.0      6.7                                                    Glade          7.0      7.0                                                    Gnome          7.3      7.3                                                    Haga           7.0      6.7                                                    Kelly          6.7      7.0                                                    Kenblue        7.0      7.0                                                    Liberty        7.0      7.3                                                    Merion         6.7      7.0                                                    Merit          6.3      7.0                                                    Midnight       7.7      9.0                                                    Monopoly       6.0      6.0                                                    Nassau         8.0      7.0                                                    Ram I          7.3      7.0                                                    South Dakota   7.0      7.0                                                    Touchdown      7.0      7.0                                                    Victa          7.0      7.0                                                    Viva           6.7      7.0                                                    LSD (.05)      0.72     0.62                                                   ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Dark Green                                        

                  TABLE 17                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Color in Two Tests (A-B) of Ba 78-165 and Other                Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais, OR.                                   Variety         TEST A   TEST B                                                ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165       6.8      7.7                                                   Ba 78-372       7.3      7.3                                                   Ba 77-700       8.0      8.0                                                   Abbey           7.7      8.0                                                   Able I          7.0      8.7                                                   A-34            6.7      6.3                                                   Allure          7.2      7.0                                                   Ascot           7.5      8.0                                                   Baron           8.0      7.3                                                   Banff           7.0      7.0                                                   Bristol         7.7      7.7                                                   Buckingham      8.0      8.7                                                   Cannon          8.0      8.0                                                   Classic         6.2      7.0                                                   Challenger      6.8      7.0                                                   Coventry        7.5      7.0                                                   Eclipse         6.8      7.3                                                   Estate          7.5      7.0                                                   Fairfax         6.7      7.0                                                   Glade           7.3      8.0                                                   Gnome           8.0      7.3                                                   Georgetown      6.7      6.7                                                   Haga            7.0      7.0                                                   Kelly           7.8      7.3                                                   Kenblue         4.3      8.3                                                   Liberty         7.2      7.3                                                   Merion          6.0      6.7                                                   Merit           7.8      7.7                                                   Midnight        6.2      9.0                                                   Monopoly        7.0      6.7                                                   Nassau          7.7      8.0                                                   Ram I           5.5      8.0                                                   South Dakota    4.3      7.7                                                   Touchdown       7.0      6.7                                                   Viva            7.7      7.7                                                   LSD (.05)       0.74     0.69                                                  ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Dark Green                                        

                  TABLE 18                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Spring Greenup of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky                 Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                                        SPRING                                                                 Variety GREENUP                                                         ______________________________________                                                Ba 78-165                                                                              5.0                                                                    Abbey   3.7                                                                    Adelphi 4.3                                                                    Allure  3.3                                                                    Ascot   5.0                                                                    Baron   4.0                                                                    Bristol 4.7                                                                    Buckingham                                                                             3.7                                                                    Chateau 3.3                                                                    Classic 3.0                                                                    Coventry                                                                               3.5                                                                    Estate  3.0                                                                    Fairfax 3.3                                                                    Georgetown                                                                             4.0                                                                    Glade   3.0                                                                    Gnome   4.3                                                                    Kelly   3.7                                                                    Kenblue 4.0                                                                    Merion  3.5                                                                    Merit   3.7                                                                    Nassau  3.0                                                                    Ram I   3.3                                                                    Victa   3.7                                                                    LSD (.05)                                                                              1.16                                                            ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Actively Growing                                  

                  TABLE 19                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Summer Greenup of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky                 Bluegrass Varieties after Summer Dormancy Due to Drought and under             Low Maintenance at North Brunswick, NJ.                                                        Summer                                                                Variety  Greenup                                                        ______________________________________                                                Ba 78-165                                                                               6.0                                                                   Baron    5.3                                                                   Eclipse  5.7                                                                   Georgetown                                                                              3.3                                                                   Glade    6.3                                                                   Gnome    5.0                                                                   Haga     4.0                                                                   Kenblue  5.0                                                                   Liberty  5.7                                                                   Merion   5.3                                                                   Merit    5.3                                                                   Midnight 4.7                                                                   Monopoly 5.3                                                                   Nassau   5.7                                                                   Ram I    5.7                                                                   South Dakota                                                                            5.7                                                                   LSD (.05)                                                                               1.9                                                            ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Fastest Greenup after Summer Dormancy             

                  TABLE 20                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Winter Color in Two Tests (A-B) of Ba 78-165 and               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties under Low Maintenance at North              Brunswick, NJ.                                                                 Variety         TEST A   TEST B                                                ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165       5.0      4.0                                                   Baron           3.7      2.3                                                   Eclipse         4.3      3.3                                                   Georgetown      6.0      6.3                                                   Glade           4.3      1.7                                                   Gnome           2.7      2.0                                                   Haga            5.3      5.0                                                   Kenblue         3.3      1.0                                                   Liberty         7.0      5.7                                                   Merion          3.0      1.7                                                   Merit           2.7      1.7                                                   Midnight        6.3      4.3                                                   Monopoly        6.7      3.3                                                   Nassau          5.3      3.0                                                   Ram I           7.3      1.7                                                   South Dakota    2.0      2.7                                                   LSD (.05)       1.6      1.5                                                   ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Brightest Green Color                             

                  TABLE 21                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Turf Density in Three Tests (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and             Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties under Shade Conditions at                   Marysville, OH.                                                                Variety   TEST A       TEST B   TEST C                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 6.5          6.5      8.0                                            Abbey     3.5          6.0      7.0                                            Adelphi   6.5          6.0      7.5                                            Baron     5.5          5.5      6.3                                            Bristol   5.5          6.0      8.0                                            Chateau   7.0          6.0      7.0                                            Classic   4.0          6.0      7.0                                            Coventry  6.0          6.0      7.0                                            Estate    6.5          7.0      7.5                                            Georgetown                                                                               6.0          5.0      6.0                                            Glade     5.5          6.5      7.5                                            Gnome     4.0          6.0      6.5                                            Kelly     4.5          6.0      7.0                                            Kenblue   6.0          6.0      6.0                                            Merion    5.0          6.0      8.0                                            Merit     4.5          5.0      7.0                                            Nassau    6.0          5.5      6.5                                            Ram I     5.5          4.5      7.0                                            Victa     4.5          5.5      6.5                                            LSD (.05) 2.18         1.82     1.47                                           ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = maximum density.                                  

                  TABLE 22                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Fall Recovery of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky                  Bluegrass Varieties after Summer Dormancy due to Drought under Low             Maintenance at North Brunswick, NJ.                                                          FALL                                                             Variety       RECOVERY                                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165     6.0                                                              Baron         4.0                                                              Eclipse       6.7                                                              Georgetown    6.0                                                              Glade         4.7                                                              Gnome         3.3                                                              Haga          4.3                                                              Kenblue       3.7                                                              Liberty       6.7                                                              Merion        4.7                                                              Merit         5.0                                                              Midnight      7.7                                                              Monopoly      5.3                                                              Nassau        6.3                                                              Ram I         5.7                                                              South Dakota  3.3                                                              LSD (.05)     2.1                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Fastest Turf Recovery after Summer Dormancy.      

                  TABLE 23                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seedling Vigor of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky                 Bluegrass Varieties under Low Maintenance at North Brunswick, NJ.                             SEEDLING                                                        Variety        VIGOR                                                           ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      7.8                                                             Baron          8.5                                                             Eclipse        2.3                                                             Georgetown     4.3                                                             Glade          7.8                                                             Gnome          7.3                                                             Haga           7.2                                                             Kenblue        8.2                                                             Liberty        7.3                                                             Merion         1.0                                                             Merit          7.2                                                             Midnight       5.5                                                             Monopoly       7.7                                                             Nassau         6.5                                                             Ram I          3.3                                                             South Dakota   7.3                                                             LSD (.05)      1.3                                                             ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Best Seedling Vigor                               

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Vertical Growth of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky                Bluegrass Varieties under Low Maintenance at North Brunswick, NJ.                             VERTICAL                                                        Variety        GROWTH                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      3.0                                                             Baron          4.0                                                             Eclipse        2.7                                                             Georgetown     5.3                                                             Glade          3.3                                                             Gnome          4.0                                                             Haga           6.7                                                             Kenblue        8.0                                                             Liberty        5.7                                                             Merit          4.0                                                             Midnight       3.3                                                             Monopoly       8.0                                                             Nassau         5.0                                                             Ram I          3.7                                                             South Dakota   7.0                                                             LSD (.05)      1.2                                                             ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Most Vertical Growth 37 Days after Seeding        

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Heat Stress of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass          Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                                   Variety      HEAT STRESS                                                       ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165    6.0                                                               Abbey        6.3                                                               Adelphi      5.7                                                               Allure       5.3                                                               Ascot        7.0                                                               Baron        6.0                                                               Bristol      6.0                                                               Buckingham   5.7                                                               Chateau      6.0                                                               Classic      5.3                                                               Coventry     6.0                                                               Estate       6.0                                                               Fairfax      6.0                                                               Georgetown   4.7                                                               Glade        6.3                                                               Gnome        6.3                                                               Kelly        6.3                                                               Kenblue      4.3                                                               Merion       5.0                                                               Merit        6.0                                                               Nassau       6.0                                                               Ram I        6.0                                                               Victa        4.0                                                               LSD (.05)    0.89                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Least Heat Stress                                 

Turf diseases are one of the major causes of inconsistent and poor turf performance. Ba 78-165 has been found to have a medium to high level of resistance to the following diseases: (1) leaf spot and melting out caused by Drechslera poae (formerly called Helminthosporium vagans); (2) powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe graminis; and (3) red thread caused by Laetisaria fuciformis. Ba 78-165 has displayed tolerance to turf damage due to billbugs.

Comparisons of disease incidence of Ba 78-165 as compared with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties in regard to leaf spot, rusts, powdery mildew, red thread, and billbugs are presented in Tables 26-31.

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Leaf Spot Incidence in Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky            Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                         Variety       LEAF SPOT                                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165     35.0                                                             Allure        66.7                                                             Adelphi       68.3                                                             Bonnieblue    73.3                                                             Bristol       43.3                                                             Chateau       71.0                                                             Estate        60.0                                                             Glade         60.0                                                             Merit         55.0                                                             Park          95.0                                                             Vantage       95.0                                                             Victa         60.0                                                             LSD (.05)     26.9                                                             ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: % Disease                                                  

                  TABLE 27                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Powdery Mildew Incidence in Two Tests (A-B) of                 Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties Grown in                      Shade at Marysville, OH.                                                       Variety        TEST A   TEST B                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      8.0      6.5                                                    Abbey          6.5      2.0                                                    Adelphi        7.0      4.5                                                    Baron          6.0      3.0                                                    Bristol        6.0      6.0                                                    Chateau        6.0      4.0                                                    Classic        6.5      3.5                                                    Coventry       6.0      4.6                                                    Estate         6.5      4.5                                                    Georgetown     6.0      4.0                                                    Glade          7.0      5.5                                                    Gnome          6.5      2.5                                                    Kelly          5.5      2.5                                                    Kenblue        6.0      6.0                                                    Merion         5.0      2.0                                                    Merit          5.5      3.0                                                    Nassau         6.0      3.5                                                    Ram I          6.5      4.0                                                    Victa          6.0      2.5                                                    LSD (.05)      1.93     2.68                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 28                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Leaf Spot Incidence in Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky            Bluegrass Varieties under Low Maintenance at North Brunswick, NJ.              Variety       LEAF SPOT                                                        ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165     5.0                                                              Baron         4.7                                                              Eclipse       7.0                                                              Georgetown    4.0                                                              Glade         3.0                                                              Gnome         3.7                                                              Haga          2.7                                                              Kenblue       1.0                                                              Liberty       4.7                                                              Merion        4.3                                                              Merit         5.7                                                              Midnight      7.7                                                              Monopoly      3.3                                                              Nassau        6.3                                                              Ram I         4.3                                                              South Dakota  1.0                                                              LSD (.05)     1.4                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = No disease.                                       

                  TABLE 29                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Powdery Mildew Incidence in Two Tests (A-B) of                 Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties Grown in                      Shade at Marysville, OH.                                                       Variety        TEST A   TEST B                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      0        0                                                      Abbey          75       40                                                     Banff          45       0                                                      Bristol        30       0                                                      Chateau        50       5                                                      Coventry       15       0                                                      Estate         10       0                                                      Glade          65       40                                                     Kelly          60       20                                                     Kenblue        10       0                                                      Monopoly       5        0                                                      Newport        75       25                                                     Victa          60       65                                                     LSD (.05)      31.3     29.1                                                   ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: % Disease                                                  

                  TABLE 30                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Red Thread Incidence in Ba 78-165 and Other                    Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                Variety        RED THREAD                                                      ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      8.0                                                             Abbey          7.7                                                             Ascot          8.0                                                             Baron          7.7                                                             Bristol        7.3                                                             Buckingham     7.7                                                             Cannon         8.0                                                             Coventry       6.3                                                             Fairfax        8.0                                                             Gnome          8.0                                                             Haga           8.0                                                             Kenblue        4.7                                                             Liberty        8.0                                                             Merion         7.7                                                             Merit          8.0                                                             Midnight       7.7                                                             Monopoly       7.7                                                             Park           6.0                                                             Ram I          7.3                                                             South Dakota   7.7                                                             Victa          8.0                                                             Viva           7.7                                                             LSD (.05)      1.14                                                            ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = No disease.                                       

                  TABLE 31                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Billbug Tolerance of Ba 78-165 and Outer Kentucky              Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                                         Variety      BILLBUG TOLERANCE                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165    4.5                                                               Abbey        4.0                                                               Allure       1.5                                                               Bristol      3.3                                                               Challenger   2.7                                                               Chateau      1.2                                                               Classic      3.7                                                               Coventry     2.3                                                               Eclipse      3.0                                                               Estate       2.3                                                               Gnome        3.7                                                               Kelly        3.7                                                               Liberty      3.0                                                               Merit        3.3                                                               Midnight     3.7                                                               Nassau       3.3                                                               Newport      4.0                                                               Victa        3.7                                                               Viva         3.0                                                               LSD (.05)    1.33                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = No damage from insect.                            

Comparisons of Ba 78-165 with other Kentucky Bluegrass varieties for seed head density, plant height, maturity, and seed yields are shown in Table 32-42 as follows:

                  TABLE 32                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Head Density in Mowed Turf of Ba 78-165 and               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Marysville, OH.                          Variety      SEED HEAD DENSITY                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165    93                                                                Adelphi      50                                                                Allure       70                                                                Ascot        30                                                                Baron        85                                                                Bristol      97                                                                Buckingham   67                                                                Chateau      63                                                                Classic      43                                                                Coventry     40                                                                Estate       73                                                                Fairfax      93                                                                Georgetown   53                                                                Glade        73                                                                Gnome        60                                                                Kelly        80                                                                Kenblue      7                                                                 Merion       75                                                                Merit        83                                                                Nassau       73                                                                Ram I        77                                                                Victa        22                                                                LSD (.05)    25.2                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: % Seed Head Density.                                       

                  TABLE 33                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Head Density in Mowed Turf of                             Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at                            Gervais, OR.                                                                   Variety      SEED HEAD DENSITY                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165    6.0                                                               Ba 76-372    6.0                                                               Ba 77-700    6.3                                                               Abbey        6.0                                                               Able I       7.7                                                               A-34         9.0                                                               Allure       7.7                                                               Ascot        7.7                                                               Baron        6.3                                                               Banff        8.3                                                               Bristol      5.7                                                               Buckingham   6.7                                                               Cannon       6.3                                                               Classic      8.7                                                               Challenger   8.0                                                               Coventry     8.0                                                               Eclipse      8.6                                                               Estate       8.0                                                               Fairfax      8.0                                                               Georgetown   8.3                                                               Glade        9.0                                                               Gnome        7.0                                                               Haga         8.3                                                               Kelly        6.7                                                               Kenblue      9.0                                                               Liberty      8.3                                                               Merion       6.3                                                               Merit        6.0                                                               Midnight     8.0                                                               Monopoly     7.7                                                               Nassau       8.0                                                               Ram I        8.3                                                               South Dakota 8.0                                                               Touchdown    9.0                                                               Viva         6.3                                                               LSD (.05)    0.95                                                              ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = No Seed Heads.                                    

                  TABLE 34                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Head Density in Mowed Turf of Ba 78-165 and               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties under Low Maintenance at North              Brunswick, NJ.                                                                 Variety      SEED HEAD DENSITY                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165    8.3                                                               Baron        7.0                                                               Eclipse      1.7                                                               Georgetown   5.3                                                               Glade        1.7                                                               Gnome        6.3                                                               Haga         5.3                                                               Kenblue      1.0                                                               Liberty      6.0                                                               Merion       6.0                                                               Merit        8.0                                                               Midnight     1.0                                                               Monopoly     4.0                                                               Nassau       7.0                                                               Ram I        3.7                                                               South Dakota 1.3                                                               LSD (.05)    1.7                                                               ______________________________________                                          Rating Scale: 1-9; 9 = Most Seed Heads.                                  

                  TABLE 35                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Plant Height (cm) in Early Spring of Ba 78-165 and             Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varities at Gervais, OR.                              Variety       PLANT HEIGHT                                                     ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165     17.8                                                             Ba 76-372     10.6                                                             Ba 77-700     10.9                                                             Abbey         9.4                                                              Allure        12.4                                                             Ascot         8.6                                                              Bristol       9.6                                                              Buckingham    8.6                                                              Cannon        11.7                                                             Chateau       8.9                                                              Coventry      6.4                                                              Estate        8.9                                                              Fairfax       8.4                                                              Gnome         7.9                                                              Kelly         11.4                                                             Newport       13.7                                                             Victa         8.1                                                              Viva          10.2                                                             LSD (.05)     2.09                                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 36                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Mature Plant Height (cm) in Two Tests (A-B) of                 Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais, OR.               Variety        TEST A   TEST B                                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165      48.0     53.4                                                   Ba 76-372      60.5     68.4                                                   Ba 77-700      49.2     60.0                                                   Abbey          45.0     65.0                                                   Allure         49.2     53.0                                                   Ascot          48.4     56.0                                                   Bristol        62.2     69.4                                                   Buckingham     56.8     66.8                                                   Cannon         50.6     68.4                                                   Chateau        45.6     60.2                                                   Coventry       51.4     62.4                                                   Estate         50.6     57.4                                                   Fairfax        56.4     60.6                                                   Gnome          42.6     60.8                                                   Kelly          48.4     65.2                                                   Newport        61.6     74.9                                                   Victa          49.8     68.2                                                   Viva           55.0     61.6                                                   LSD (.05)      8.06     8.72                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 37                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Mature Plant Height (cm) in Three Tests (A-C)                  Conducted in Late June of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass               Varieties at Gervais, OR.                                                      Variety   TEST A       TEST B   TEST C                                         ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165 68.8         60.5     59.0                                           Abbey     65.3         60.4     50.3                                           Buckingham                                                                               68.0         43.9     56.5                                           Coventry  60.3         42.1     51.5                                           Midnight  75.0         39.2     45.0                                           Vantage   73.0         81.8     73.5                                           LSD (.05) 7.45         4.54     7.09                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 38                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Head Density of Mature Plants of Ba 78-165 and            Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais, OR                                            SEED HEAD                                                        Variety       DENSITY                                                          ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165     8.5                                                              Abbey         4.0                                                              Buckingham    6.0                                                              Coventry      4.5                                                              Midnight      5.8                                                              Vantage       7.8                                                              LSD (.05)     1.25                                                             ______________________________________                                          Rating: 1-9; 9 = Most Seed Heads                                         

                  TABLE 39                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Maturity (1%, 50% and 100% Anthesis) in Three Tests            (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais,          OR.                                                                            TEST A       TEST B         TEST C                                             Variety 1%       1%     50%  100%   1%   50%  100%                             ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                              144      124    126  132    120  133  138                              Ba 76-372                                                                              152      126    129  133    122  132  139                              Ba 77-700                                                                              151      129    134  138    130  137  141                              Abbey   150      129    132  137    130  138  141                              Allure  144      128    131  135    127  136  140                              Ascot   140      119    124  132    120  134  140                              Bristol 144      125    127  132    122  132  139                              Buckingham                                                                             141      123    128  134    117  131  138                              Cannon  153      129    132  136    130  138  141                              Chateau 144      128    131  135    130  137  140                              Coventry                                                                               144      127    129  134    130  137  140                              Estate  143      127    129  135    130  137  140                              Fairfax 144      126    129  133    124  135  139                              Gnome   150      129    133  137    130  138  142                              Kelly   150      129    133  137    127  137  141                              Newport 145      120    123  131    119  131  139                              Victa   151      129    132  136    130  139  143                              Viva    150      129    133  137    130  138  142                              LSD (.05)                                                                              2.6      2.1    2.5  1.8    5.2  3.1  2.7                              ______________________________________                                          Ratings: Days to Reach Percentage Rates of Maturity (1%, 50% or 100%) fro      Planting Date                                                            

                  TABLE 40                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Maturity (1%, 50% and 100% Heading) in Three Tests             (A-C) of Ba 78-165 and Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais,          OR.                                                                            TEST A         TEST B       TEST C                                             Variety                                                                              1`%    50%    100% 1%   50%  100% 1%   50%  100%                         ______________________________________                                         Ba    105    118    135  100  119  122  120  133  138                          78-165                                                                         Ba    117    139    145  99   120  122  122  132  139                          76-372                                                                         Ba    123    141    146  110  125  127  130  137  141                          77-700                                                                         Abbey 123    139    147  108  124  127  130  138  141                          Allure                                                                               118    134    142  111  125  126  127  136  140                          Ascot 106    120    137  88   112  119  120  134  140                          Bristol                                                                              112    130    140  95   119  122  122  132  139                          Buck- 107    124    137  94   112  120  117  131  138                          ingham                                                                         Cannon                                                                               124    142    150  113  125  127  130  138  141                          Chateau                                                                              118    135    142  106  124  126  130  137  140                          Cov-  116    132    142  106  122  125  130  137  140                          entry                                                                          Estate                                                                               118    134    142  106  124  126  130  137  140                          Fairfax                                                                              114    131    142  103  122  124  124  135  139                          Gnome 127    137    148  110  125  127  130  138  142                          Kelly 123    135    146  112  125  127  127  137  141                          New-  111    124    140  85   110  118  119  131  139                          port                                                                           Victa 123    139    146  112  125  127  130  139  143                          Viva  123    140    148  109  125  127  130  138  142                          LSD   5.3    4.5    3.5  5.3  4.1  1.8  5.2  3.1  2.7                          (.05)                                                                          ______________________________________                                          Ratings: Days to Reach Percentage Rates of Maturity (1%, 50% or 100%) fro      Planting Date                                                            

                  TABLE 41                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Yields in Four Tests (A-D) of Ba 78-165 and               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais, OR.                             Variety TEST A   TEST B   TEST C   TEST D Mean                                 ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                              992      1218     1197     1053   1115                                 Cannon  970      1306     558      215    760                                  Viva    920      1258     521      199    725                                  Abbey   1124     1314     629      319    847                                  Coventry                                                                               786      914      649      352    675                                  Newport 1165     1002     1177     805    1037                                 LSD (.05)                                                                              209      176      158      140                                         ______________________________________                                          Ratings: Pounds per Acre.                                                

                  TABLE 42                                                         ______________________________________                                         A Comparison of Seed Yields in Four Tests (A-D) of Ba 78-165 and               Other Kentucky Bluegrass Varieties at Gervais, OR.                             Variety  TEST A   TEST B     TEST C TEST D                                     ______________________________________                                         Ba 78-165                                                                               1196     982        673    638                                        Abbey    516      848        483    249                                        Buckingham                                                                              457      1071       555    328                                        Coventry 480      429        111    268                                        Midnight 112      618        251    233                                        Vantage  328      663        400    227                                        LSD (.05)                                                                               100      130        81     59                                         ______________________________________                                          Ratings: Pounds per Acre.                                                 

What is claimed is:
 1. A variety of Kentucky Bluegrass plant, substantially as shown and described, characterized by a medium to high level of resistance to a broad spectrum of diseases, including leaf spot and melting out disease, red thread and powdery mildew; a moderate tolerance to billbugs; a medium deep green color throughout the growing season; medium to high quality turf formation under a wide variety of environmental conditions; a moderately wide leaf blade; a low growth habit; and a high level of seed yielding capacity. 